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Welcome to the Vermont Model Criminal Jury Instructions. The instructions are sponsored by the Vermont Bar Association.
Use the drop-down menus above or the search function below to find individual instructions and the accompanying reporter's notes.
In addition, clicking on the menu headers above will show a table of contents for that section, and there is also a master table of contents available. Long-time users of the instructions will find the master table of contents to be in the familiar format.
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You may search for an instruction by using the name of the crime (e.g., kidnapping) or by using the statutory citation (e.g., 13 V.S.A. 2405 or, more simply, 2405). Note that the search software is simply reading the text on each page, and thus doesn't recognize "VSA" without the periods.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Possession of Child Pornography
July 18, 2017: The Committee has posted a new instruction and accompanying reporter’s note for the crime of Possession of Child Pornography, 13 V.S.A. § 2827. The new instruction, CR27-741, is available here.
Speeding (Judicial Bureau Appeals)
June 15, 2017: The Committee has added new instructions for appeals from the Judicial Bureau of speeding violations. Those appeals may be heard as a de novo jury trial in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court. The instructions are … Continue reading
Luring a Child
June 15, 2017: The Committee has added a new instruction for the crime of Luring a Child, 13 V.S.A. § 2828. The new instruction, CR27-761, is available here.
Preliminary Instructions
May 8, 2017: The Committee has updated the instruction and reporter’s note for “Juror Prohibitions, Including Juror Use of Electronic Devices” (CR01-031) to reflect that courts should explicitly instruct the jury not to discuss the case amongst themselves until deliberations … Continue reading
Reporter’s Note Revisions
April 24, 2017: The Committee has made Reporter’s Note revisions to the following sections to incorporate recent case law: Simple Assault (physical menace) – CR22-041 Aggravated Assault (threatened another with deadly weapon) – CR22-098 Unanimous Verdict – CR04-081
Credit Card Fraud
January 20, 2017: The Committee has posted new instructions for the following crimes related to credit card fraud: CR60-301. Credit Card Fraud ($50 or less), 9 V.S.A. §§ 4043, 4044(a) (01/20/17) CR60-306. Credit Card Fraud (more than $50), 9 V.S.A. … Continue reading
Disclosure of Sexually Explicit Images Without Consent
January 8, 2017: The Committee has added an instruction for the new crime of “Disclosure of Sexually Explicit Images Without Consent.” See 13 V.S.A. § 2606(b)(1). The new instruction, CR27-611, is available here.
Enabling the Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor/Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor
December 12, 2016: The Committee had added a new instruction and reporter’s note for the crime of Enabling the Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor. 7 V.S.A. § 658(a)(2). The new instruction and note reflect the Supreme Court’s recent decision … Continue reading
Cruelty to a Child
June 15, 2016: The Committee has posted revised instructions and reporter’s notes for Cruelty to a Child, including the new felony version of the crime. The revisions reflect the recent legislative enactment. See 2015, No. 60, § 25, eff. July … Continue reading
Home Improvement Fraud
May 17, 2016: The Committee has revised the instruction for Home Improvement Fraud and the accompanying Reporter’s Note to reflect the Legislature’s recent amendment to 13 V.S.A. § 2029. See 2015, No. 13, §§ 1–2, eff. May 1, 2015.